Pressure control for hydraulic oil storing and delivering systems



1,622,881 March v29, 1927 W- J, PETER PE-SSURE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC OIL STORING AND DELIVERING SYSTEMS Filed 0G11. l5. 1925 Figi.

MATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.-

WILLIAM J'. PE'IIEIR',u OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

u PRESSURE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC OIL STORING AND DELIVEBING SYSTEMS..

Application filed October 16, 1925. Serial No. 62,925.

This invention relates to hydraulic oil storage and delivery systems and particularly to means for automatically disconnecting the source of pressure when the system is not delivering oil. l

In oil storage and delivery systems operi ated by hydraulic pressure, the oil is stored within a tank and forced out through an oil delivery pipe entering the top of the tank, by means of water forced inat the bottom. Delivery of the oil can be controlled either by means of a valve 4placed in the water pressure line or-a Valve placed in the oil delivery line. When such systems are used in gasoline filling stations, the oil delivery pipe passes upward into a meter casing, through the meter,{ and thence through a delivery hose. such systems is usually controlled by means of a valve placed in the nozzle of the hose. This method of control finds favor with the operators of filling stations because of its simplicity and directness; it hasthis disadvantage, however, when the operator completes a given filling job, closes the nozzle, and hangs the hose up,the system, being still connected with the water supply, is under full hydrostatic pressure, and, in the event of a break in the oil .delivery line, this constantly acting pressure will act immediately to empty the tank of gasoline. Because of the fire risk thus involvedthe authorities in some localities insist that the connection with the operating water supply be' closed when `the system is not in use. This means that every time the station is used the valve in the water line must be opened, and closed again when the delivery hasbeen completed. The operator must therefore manipulate two controls instead of one, and this, from his point of view, is objectionable. At present, therefore, the valve in the water vline is manipulated just twice a day--opened in the morning and closed at. night.

In accordance with the present invention -I have provided'means for automatically controlling the connection between the operating water supply and the tank so that every time the hose is hungwup after use this connection is automatically closed. Preferably. theconnection is automatically opened when the hose is taken down for use.

In this way the operator need ive no thought to the valve in the water lme, but

The delivery of gasoline incan confine his attention whollyito the noz zle valve. At the same timethe connection with the water supply is completely cut oif when the system is not in use, and the danger of a continuing flow of gasoline, following a possible breakin the oil delivery line, is eliminated.

I have attained this result by making use of a solenoid which, when energized, opens la control valve in the water line and when de-energized permits this valve to close under the action of gravity or other counteracting force. In order to energize and deenergize this solenoid at the proper time I place within the meter casing a pivoted hook forthe hose, which hook controls a switch in series with the solenoid and 'a suitable source of electrical energy. When the hose is not in use it is hung upon this hook where its weight swings the hook to open the switch and de-energize the solenoid, so that as long as the hose remains upon the hook the water control valve is closed. As soon, however, as the hoseis removed from the hook preparatory to being used, the hook,

being properly counterweighted, swings tov close the switch, energize the solenoid and open the water control valve.

As a further precaution against iire I `provide the counterweight for the hook with .a fusible link which, in the event of fire, would melt, releasing the counterweight, and permitting the hook to swing' under its own weight tofopen the switch and de-ener-l gize the solen'oid.

In accordance with the present invention, I also employ a non-sparking switch to open and. close the solenoid circuit, preferably.

one of the mercury type. By thel use of such l a switch, the fire hazard arising from the use of-switches which spark on make and 'mercury switch used to open and close the solenoid circuit. f v Referring first to Figure 1, l represents the storage tank of the system, 2 the oil inlet pipe, 3 the oil discharge pipe and 4 the water\` delivery pipe. The hydraulic pressure under which the system operates is maintained by a riser 5 terminating in a float box 6 which receives water from any suitable source as, for instance, the city water mains, the level of the water in the iloat box being maintained constant by means ot a iloat actuated control valve 7. The tank is connected to the sewer through a waste pipe 8. The riser 5 and the sewer pipe 8 are selectively placed in communication with the pipe 4, and hence with the tank, by means of a manually controlled two-way valve 9. This is the main water valve and is usually manipulated only in the morning and night or when the tank is to be filled with oil through pipe 2 and its Water discharged to the sewer. During normal operation of the system in dispensing oil, the valve 9 is so positioned that the riser 5 is in communication with the tank through the pipe 4, and communication with the sewer pipe 8 cut oft". The oil discharge pipe 3 may supply a plurality of outlets, as illustrated, but as the operation of all is identical I shall describe only one. The pipe 3- passes upward into a meter casing 12 through a meter 13 and terminates in a hose 14 provided with a valve-controlled nozzle 15. The foregoing constitutes what is commonly known as the constant head hydraulic system and of itself forms no part ot' the present invention. I shall now describe the means whereby the connection with the water supply is automatically opened and. closed at the proper times. l

In the riser 5, between the float box 6 and the valve' 9, I place a control valve 10 provided with a valve rod 11 to which is connected the core of a solenoid 16. This solenoid is in series with a suitable source of electrical energy 17 and a switch 18 mounted within the meter casing. /When this switch is closed the solenoid is energized and the Vvalve 10 is opened; when the switch is opened the solenoid is de-energized, and the valve 10 'is closed by the action of the valve rod 11 dropping under its own weight. I shall now describe the operation of the switch 18. l A hook 'arm 19 is pivotally mounted at 20 withinl the meter casing. One end\of this arm terminates in a hose `supporting hook 21 normally heavy enough to hold the arm in horizontal position' against a stop 22. The other end of the arm is provided with a depending counterweight 23 which overball -ances vthe weight of the hook and tends to swing the arm into the broken line position against a stop 24, but this tendency is overcome by the weight of the hose as long as it hangs upon the hook. The switch 18 is mounted upon the short end of the arm. Y

The switch illustrated is a non-sparking mercury switch designed to be opened when the arm is in a horizontal position, but closed when the hook is removed and the arm swung into inclined position. It comprises a glass tube having a long leg 25 and a short leg 26 disposed at an angle to the long one but in the same verticalplane. The tube is partly filled with mercury; enough to fill the long leg when horizontalbut not enough to fill the short'leg at the same time.

Lead wires 27 and 28 which are in the sole-l noid circuit enter the tube through the ends of the long and short legs respectively. The length of these wires within the tube is such that when the long leg is horizontal, wire 28 does not contact with the mercury, but when the switch is tipped, so that the mercur level rises in the short leg, it does. Wire 2; is long enough to remain immersed in themercury at all times.

In order to permit expansion of the liquids in the tank when the Valve 10 is closed I provide a vent pipe 29 extending from a pointin the riser between the valve 10 and the tank, to a point immediately above the float box.

The system operates as follows: When oil is to be delivered, the operator removes the hose from the hook, whereupon the weight swings the hook arm upward against the stop 24 and closes the switch which, in turn, closes the solenoid circuit, energizes the solenoid and opens the valve 10. The system is then under the hydrostatic pressure of the water in float box 6 and riser 5, and will deliver oil when the nozzle valve is opened. When the desired quantity of oil has been dispensed, the operator closes the nozzle valve and returns the hose to the hook, whereupon the hook arm is swung downward into horizontal position, the switch is opened, the

solenoid de-energized, and the valve 10y closed.

'It is to be noted that the actual pressure on the tank when not in use is determined by the position of the valve 10, if above the nozzle 15. Thus, if this valve were placed immediately below the float box the tank would be under the pressure of the riser head at that point ywhich head might or might not be balanced by atmospheric pressure. In any event by cutting ofi the source ofpressure, the pressure of the residual water in the riser could be exerted only momentarily and hence would not be objection` able. It would be quite possible to do away with the valve 10 and operate the valve 9 by means of the solenoid, as illustrated in- This system of automatic control depends `lor its effectiveness upon the fact that the operator will naturally hang the hose upon the hook 21 at the conclusion of each filling operation, there being no other place for him to hang it. Should, however, the operator, through an excess of carelessness fail to re turn the hose to the hook, or if, .for some reasonv it should Vbecomedisplaced, I have l connected with and disconnected from the tank, a support for the hose when not' in use, and means controlled by the support for disconnecting the source of pressure from theb tank when the hose is on the support.

2. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the' tank, a source of hydraulic pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a suppport for the hose when not in use, means controlled by the support for disconnecting the source of pressure from the tank when the hose is on the support ,andV

connecting the source of pressure with the tank when the hose is removedfrom the support.

A3. In a hydraulic oil, storage and delivery system, the combinationof a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting Water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the water pipe, avsupport for the hose when not in use, and means controlled by the support for opening the valve when the hosevls removed and closing the valve 'when the hose is replaced.

4. In a hydraulic oilI storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to 4rthe tank, a valve in the water pipe normally closed, a solenoid acting when energized to open the valve, a support for the hose when not.in use and means controlled bythe support for ,energizing the solenoid when the hose is removed and de-energizing it when the hose is replaced.

5. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the water pipe normally`A e overbalanced hook arm i9 to closed by a constantly acting force, a solenoid acting whenV energized to oppose the force and open the valve, a pivoted hook arm for supporting the hose when not in use, a switch operated by the hook, said switch being open when the hose is on the hook and closed when the hose isaremoved, and a circuit including the solenoid, a source of electrical energy and the switch; the arrangement being such that when the switch is open the solenoid is deenergized and the valve closed.

position, a counterbalancing weight actingconstantly to swing the arm and raise the hook but insufficient to overcome the weight of the hose when on the hook, a switch operated by the arm, said switch being open when the hose is on the hook and the arm is horizontal, and closed when the hose is removed and the hook raised, a circuit including the solenoid, a source of electrical energy and the switch, the arrangement being such that-k when the switch is open the solenoid is deenergized and the valve closed, and a fusible link connecting the counterbalancing weight with the arm.

7. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a source of hydraulic pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a support for the hose when not in use, means controlled by the support for disconnecting the source of pressure from the `tank when the hose is on the support, and

thermally operated means for disconnecting the source of pressure when the hose is not on the support.

8. 1n a hydraulic oil storage and delivery 9. A.In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in 'the water pipe nor-.

mally closed, a solenoid acting when energized, to open the valve, a pivoted hook arm for supporting the hose when not in use, a non-sparking mercury switch operated by the hook, said switch being open when the hose is on the hook andA closed when the hose is removed, and a circuit including the solenoid, a source of electrical energy and the switch, the arrangement being such that when the switch is open the solenoid is deenergized and the valve closed.

10. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery pipe receiving oil therefrom, a meter Casing into which the oil delivery pipe passes, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the Water pipe, a solenoid act-ing when energlzed to open the valve. and a non-sparking Switch in the meter casing controlling the energization of the solenoid.

11. In an oil storage and delivery system,

the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a source of pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a pivoted arm for supporting the hose when not in use, acounterweight acting to swing the arm when the hose is removed, means controlled by the arm for disconnecting the source of pressure from the tank when the hose is on the arm, and a fusible link Iconnecting the counterweight to the arm designed to break at a predetermined temperature.

12. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a waste pipe communicating with the tank, a valve in said pipe, a riser communicating with the tank, means for maintaining a constant hydraulic head in the riser, a Water control valve in the riser above the Waste pipe valve, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank,r a support for the hose when not in use, and means controlled by the support for closing the control valve when the hose is on the support.

`13. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a waste pipe communicating with the tank, a valve in said pipe, a riser communicating With the tank, means for maintaining a const ant hydraulic head in the riser, a water control valve in the riserabove the Waste pipe valve, an oil delivery hose receivingl oil from the tank, a support for the hose when not in use, means controlled by the support for closing the control valve when the hose is on the support, and a vent pipe communicating with the tank and extending to a point above the riser.

14. In an oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a source of pressure designed to be connected vwith and disconnected from the tank, a support for the hose when not in use, and means controlled by the support for disconnecting the source of pressure from the tank when the hose is on the support.

15. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting Water under pressure to thev tank, a valve in the water pipe, a support for the hose when not in use, and means controlled by the support for closing the valve when the hose is on the support.

v16. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the water pipe normally closed, a solenoid acting when energized to open the valve, a support for the hose when not in use and means controlled by the support for de-energizing the solenoid when the hose is on the support, thereby closing the valve.

17. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting Water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the Water pipe normally closed by a constantly acting force, a solenoid acting when energized to oppose the :force and open the valve, a pivoted hook arm for supporting the hose when not in use, a switch operated by the hook,

'said switch being open when the hose is on the hook and closed When the hose is removed and the hook raised, and a circuit including the solenoid, a source of electrical energy and the switch, the arrangement being such that when the switch is open the solenoid is deenergized and the valve closed.

18. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, means for placing the tank in communication with a supply of Water under pressure, a support for the hose When not in use and means controlled by the support for closing communication between the tank and the supply of water when the hose is on the suport.

p 19. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the water pipe, a support for the hose when not in use, and means for opening the valve operable when the hose is removed from the support and automatically operated to close the valve when the hose is replaced on the support.

20. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a. pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the Water pipe normally closed, a solenoid acting when energized to open the valve, a support for the hose when not in use and 'means :for energizing the solenoid and opening the valve Ioperable when the hose is removed from the support and automatically operated to deenergize the solenoid and close the valve when the hose is replaced on\the su port.

21. In a hydraullc oil storageand delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a valve in the Water pipe normally closed, a solenoid acting when energized to open the valve, a support for the hose when not in use, a switch controlling the solenoid, and means operable when the hose is removed from the support to close the switch, energize the solenoid and open the valve, and automatically operated to open the switch, deenergize the solenoid and close the valve when the hose is replaced on the support.

22. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank, a. valve in the water pipe normally closed, electrically actuated means acting when energized to open the valve, a support for the hose when not in Ause and means for energizing the electrically actuated means and opening the valve operable when the hose is removed from the support and automatically operated to deenergize the electrically actuated means and \close the valve when the hose is ieplaced on the support.

23. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system', the combination of a tank, an oil delivery hose receiving oil from the tank, a source of hydraulic pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected fromthe tank, a support for the hose when not in use, and electrically actuated means controlled by the supportfor disconnecting the source of pressure from the tank when the hose is on the support.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

WILLIAM .'I. PETER. 

